Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DILI335
2009-12-22 02:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dili
Cable title:  

PRIME MINISTER VOICES SUPPORT ON AFGHANISTAN

Tags:  PREL PGOV MARR TT AF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2271
RR RUEHCHI RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHDT #0335 3560202
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220202Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY DILI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4643
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1363
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 1182
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0975
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1151
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 4199
UNCLAS DILI 000335 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR TT AF
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER VOICES SUPPORT ON AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS DILI 000335

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR TT AF
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER VOICES SUPPORT ON AFGHANISTAN


1. Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao sent a letter dated
December 14, 2009, to the Ambassador expressing his government's
support for President Obama's strategy on the way forward in
Afghanistan and Pakistan. Full text follows below. Electronic
version forwarded to EAP/MTS.




2. (Begin text)



Dear Ambassador,



I refer to your letter dated 2 December 2009 and thank you for
providing information on the President of the United States of
America's decision on the way forward in Afghanistan and
Pakistan.



The Government of Timor-Leste supports the engagement of the
United States of America, and the broad coalition of a further
43 nations, in fighting al Qaeda and restoring peace and
security in Afghanistan. Timor-Leste understands well the
terrible costs of war. After the abhorrent attacks on the
United States of America on September 11, 2001, however, it was
clear that the resort to force was necessary in Afghanistan.



The Government of Timor-Leste gives its full support to
President Obama's strategy on the way forward in Afghanistan and
Pakistan. We hope, and we trust, that this strategy, including
the commitment of additional military personnel, will hasten the
achievement of peace in that region. And we encourage the
United States of America, consistent with this strategy, to
ensure that the full responsibility for security and governance
is transferred to the people of Afghanistan at the earliest
opportunity.



Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.



Yours sincerely,

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao

Prime Minister



(end text).

KLEMM